Rob Gronkowski returns to practice as a limited participant

In the most tangible sign yet that Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will play on Sunday, the team announced today that he did participate in practice.

On today’s injury report, the Patriots listed Gronkowski as a limited participant. Yesterday he was the only player on the team who didn’t practice at all.

The status of Gronkowski, who suffered an ankle injury in the AFC Championship Game, has been the subject of a great deal of media scrutiny over the last week and a half. But all indications are that he will be able to play on Sunday. If he’s on the field at all today, it’s just about impossible to imagine that he wouldn’t be on the field for the Super Bowl.

He’s definitely playing. For me I don’t care if that guy will play with a limp, he needs to be accounted for on every play he’s on the field. Patriots have several guys to watch out for no doubt, but Rob Gronkowski has to be watched.

@ SIAAA: Yes, the vaunted Giants secondary is something to behold. C’mon, their front 4 is great, and you can’t take that away from them in the slightest, but to say their secondary could humble even a 75% Gronk is overstating the facts.

@ BigBlueNationDB: Absolutely, because there’s no possible way he’ll catch balls because of his ankle.

If he’s not 100% keep him in to block. Hernandez gets open quicker underneath. Gronk can also block and the Pats have got a bunch of pretty good runners who will be available and there’s Welker, there’s Branch, and I would be tickled to see Senor Ochocinco get open a time or two.